Stealing the limelight from the rest of Diageo’s Classic Malts collection is no easy task – not when you’re up against a Clynelish 14 Year Old, a Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old, or an Oban 14 Year Old. So all credit, then, to the Benrinnes 21 Year Old – a single malt Scotch you’ll soon want to hunt down – with its seductive tones of burnished gold and polished copper.
Hailing from a distillery that sits atop an 840-metre peak which looms over Speyside, the Benrinnes 21 Year Old draws its flavour from the mountain springs of the Rowantree and Scurran Burns. The Benrinnes distillery is also known for its unusual distillation method, where six stills are utilised for partial triple-distillation, contributing to this particular single malt’s light, fruity notes of cantaloupe and raisins.
It is not, however, a demure whisky: with hints of molasses and notes that alternate between salty and savoury, this well-balanced malt swiftly reveals its sweet and spicy personality, surprising the palate with a slightly astringent rush. Only 550 bottles of the Benrinnes 21 Year Old exist worldwide, with 262 bottles available in Malaysia (prices start from RM3,000), making this a prime opportunity for collectors. As part of Diageo’s Casks of Distinction programme, it’s even possible to purchase entire casks from the distillery, allowing you to decide whether to bottle your whisky or continue ageing it.
